contrary

1adjIdeas, attitudes, or reactions that are contraryto each other are completely different from each other.usu v-link ADJ to nThis view is contrary to the aims of critical social research for a number of reasons..., Several of those present, including Weinberger, had contrary information.

2If you say that something is true contrary to other people's beliefs or opinions, you are emphasizing that it is true and that they are wrong.♦
contrary toprep-phrase(emphasis)
Contrary to popular belief, moderate exercise actually decreases your appetite...

3You use on the contrary when you have just said or implied that something is not true and are going to say that the opposite is true.♦
on the contraryphrasePHR with clIt is not an idea around which the Community can unite. On the contrary, I see it as one that will divide us.

4You can use on the contrary when you are disagreeing strongly with something that has just been said or implied, or are making a strong negative reply.♦
on the contraryphrase(emphasis)
`People just don't do things like that.'—`On the contrary, they do them all the time.'

5You can use quite the contrary to emphasize a previous negative statement, or when you are making a strong negative reply.♦
quite the contraryphrasePHR with cl(emphasis)
(=quite the opposite)I'm not a feminist, quite the contrary...

6When a particular idea is being considered, evidence or statements to the contrary suggest that this idea is not true or that the opposite is true.♦
to the contraryphrasen PHRThat does not automatically mean, however, that the money supply has been curbed, and there is considerable evidence to the contrary...

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